Posted: 9/29/2008 9:36:53 AM EDT
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What is the first priority; A two way ham radio, or a digital scanner? StagPower |
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Assuming since the option you posed was a digital scanner that you've already done the homework to know if your area's public safety groups USE digital. Because if you had any reason to believe it's analog, you can get the best of both worlds with something like the VX-6. TX on 2m/440 and receives 500kHz thru 999 MHz. So you can scan anything analog with the VX-6. Trunked analog is trickier, but doable. I used to monitor an EDACS system and you just have to put all the freq's in a bank, start scanning, and manually advance the scan to avoid missing the next transmission. (There are 5 long beeps after each frequency is released, so your radio's carrier squelch will just sit there until the beeps stop). Anyway, this may be irrelevant if you've already determined you NEED digital trunking in order to monitor anything useful from a PS perspective. If digital is required, it's a tough call. If you're not currently a ham and have experience using your areas repeaters, etc., then a scanner is probably a better Swiss Army Knife since most SHTF communication will just be monitoring. The good news is it won't cost that much to get basic 2-way 2m ham once you decide to go there. HT's and full power Mobiles are both available $120-150. |
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just food for thought... In Iraq I was looking at a IC-7000 and VR-5000 reciever.... I picked the VR-5000 I'd much rather have the IC-7000 now that I'm back in the states and working on my general. You can always recieve on a "2 way" radio but you can never transmit on a reciever. but like was said- if there is digital in your area then a good digital scanner is a worthwile investment. -Roth |
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My neighbor is a FF and told me to simply get a RS digital scanner and he will program it. My plans are as follows, though the lineup does not necessarily reflect priority, which is why I am asking the question. 1. HX 370S for Op's (others in family and network will also have these). 2. VX7 or so for a Ham HT 3. Yaseu HT mobile unit at some point. 4. Digital Scanner. I have been planning on getting the HX370 first, since I can use it for op's on MURS and also as 2m when I get a technicians license, and then go to an HT mobile and get the next license. But maybe there is a better plan. Of course money is the major issue or I would just get it all now. StagPower |
